If you think your baby is having a reaction to cows' milk, talk to your health visitor or GP. If your baby is diagnosed with a milk allergy, your GP can prescribe alternatives to cows' milk-based infant formula.

If you think your baby is having a reaction to cows' milk, see your GP to discuss your concerns.

They will be able to assess if your baby's symptoms may be caused by a cows' milk allergy or something else. Make sure you get medical advice before taking cows' milk out of your child's diet as it contains important nutrients.

Cows' milk allergy in babies

Cows' milk allergy (CMA), also called cows' milk protein allergy, is one of the most common childhood food allergies. It is estimated to affect between 2% and 7.5% of babies under one, though most children grow out of it by the age of five.

CMA typically develops when cows' milk is first introduced into your baby's diet either in formula or when your baby starts eating solids.

More rarely, it can affect babies who are exclusively breastfed because of cows' milk from the mother's diet passing to the baby through breast milk.

There are two main types of CMA:

immediate CMA – where symptoms typically begin within minutes of having cows' milk

delayed CMA – where symptoms typically begin several hours, or even days, after having cows' milk

Symptoms of cows' milk allergy

Cows' milk allergy can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

skin reactions – such as a red itchy rash or swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes